Honors Biology Lab Notebook by Jennifer Du

1. Testable Question

jd28055 — 2024-08-23 19:19:50 UTC

Does the amount of water affect the number of seeds germinated?

3. Procedure

jd28055 — 2024-08-23 19:22:15 UTC

Place filter paper in 4 petri dishes.
Measure and pour 5, 10, 15, and 20 milliliters respectively.
Place 10 seeds into each dish, evenly spaced.
Place dishes on a window sill for 72 hours.
Record results.

2. Hypothesis

jd28055 — 2024-08-23 19:23:28 UTC

H0 - No, the amount of water will not affect the number of seeds germinated.
H1 - Yes, the amount of water will affect the number of seeds germinated.

Mung Bean Lab

jd28055 — 2024-08-23 19:24:56 UTC

4. Data Table

jd28055 — 2024-08-26 19:23:08 UTC

5. Graph

jd28055 — 2024-08-26 19:23:42 UTC

6. CER

jd28055 — 2024-08-27 19:08:13 UTC

Yes, the amount of water does affect the number of seeds germinated. To begin, for 10 milliliters of water, 9 seeds germinated, but for 5 milliliters of water, only 4 seeds germinated. Additionally, there is no overlap between the 5 ml and 10 ml error bars, which means the difference is statistically significant. Based on this evidence, one can conclude that water does affect the number of seeds germinated because water changes the seeds in many ways. It softens and enlarges the seed, which allows the embryo inside to begin developing. It provides dissolved oxygen, which is important for the embryo's metabolism, and it activates the enzymes within the seeds, which begins its internal physiology as well as initiates preparation. To conclude, the amount of water does affect the number of seeds germinated.

Isopod Lab #1

jd28055 — 2024-08-29 19:15:42 UTC

1. Testable Question

jd28055 — 2024-08-29 19:17:02 UTC

Does moisture affect the number of isopods in a choice chamber?

2. Hypothesis

jd28055 — 2024-08-29 19:18:26 UTC

H0 - No, the moisture will not affect the number of isopods in a choice chamber.
H1 - Yes, the moisture will affect the number of isopods in a choice chamber.

3. Procedure

jd28055 — 2024-08-29 19:21:54 UTC

Place filter paper on each side of the choice chamber, one damp and one dry.
Place 5 isopods on each side of the choice chamber and close the lid.
Set a timer for ten minutes and observe the number of isopods on each side every minute.
Record results.

4. Data Table

jd28055 — 2024-08-29 19:23:10 UTC

5. Graph

jd28055 — 2024-08-29 19:23:50 UTC

6. CER

jd28055 — 2024-08-29 19:24:52 UTC

No, the amount of moisture will not affect the number of isopods in a choice chamber. To begin, the class average for the number of isopods in a wet choice chamber is 4.78, while the average number of isopods in a dry choice chamber was 5.22. Additionally, the error bars overlap, so this means that the difference is insignificant. To conclude, the amount of moisture will not affect the number of isopods in a choice chamber.

Isopod Lab #2

jd28055 — 2024-08-29 19:25:33 UTC

1. Testable Question

jd28055 — 2024-08-29 19:26:41 UTC

Does the amount of light affect the number of isopods in a choice chamber?

2. Hypothesis

jd28055 — 2024-08-29 19:27:36 UTC

H0 - No, the amount of light will not affect the number of isopods in a choice chamber.
H1 - Yes, the amount of light will affect the number of isopods in a choice chamber.

3. Procedure

jd28055 — 2024-08-29 19:30:02 UTC

Place filter paper on each side of the choice chamber, making sure that they are either both wet or dry.
Place 10 isopods in the choice chamber; 5 on each side.
Place the choice chamber on the window sill.
Cover one side of the chamber with tin foil.
Start a 10-minute timer and observe the number of isopods on each side every minute.
Record results.

4. Data Table

jd28055 — 2024-08-30 19:11:38 UTC

5. Line Graph

jd28055 — 2024-08-30 19:12:27 UTC

6. Bar Graph

jd28055 — 2024-08-30 19:13:02 UTC

7. CER

jd28055 — 2024-08-30 19:24:26 UTC

No, the amount of light does not affect the number of isopods in a choice chamber. To begin, the average number of isopods in the light side of the choice chamber over 10 minutes was 4.9 and the average number of isopods in the dark side of the choice chamber was 5.1. Additionally, the error bars overlap, meaning that the difference between the data and insignificant. To conclude, the amount of light does not affect the number of isopods in a choice chamber.

Duckweed Lab

jd28055 — 2024-09-18 19:23:35 UTC

1. Testable Question

jd28055 — 2024-09-18 19:25:23 UTC

Does the amount of fertilizer affect the number of duckweed?

2. Hypothesis

jd28055 — 2024-09-18 19:26:12 UTC

H0 - No, the amount of fertilizer will not affect the number of duckweed.
H1 - Yes, the amount of fertilizer will affect the number of duckweed.

3. Procedure

jd28055 — 2024-09-18 19:28:03 UTC

Place 125 millimeters of water into 4 containers.
Place 10 duckweed into each container.
Place 0, 5, 10, or 15 drops of fertilizer into each container.
Place the containers on a windowsill.
Count the number of duckweed on days 2, 5, 7, and 9.
Record results.

4. Data Table

jd28055 — 2024-09-27 18:08:33 UTC

5. Line Graph

jd28055 — 2024-09-27 18:09:00 UTC

6. CER

jd28055 — 2024-09-29 21:41:09 UTC

Yes, the amount of fertilizer does affect the number of duckweed because the fertilizer contains nitrates and phosphates. To begin, the number of duckweed in cups C and D with ten and fifteen drops of fertilizer consistently had more duckweed than in cups A and B. On day five, cups A and B had seven duckweed, cup C had nine duckweed, and cup D had fourteen duckweed. Similarly, on day nine, cup A had five duckweed, cup B had six duckweed, cup C had ten duckweed, and cup D had twelve duckweed. This is shown on the line graph. Based on this evidence, one can conclude that yes, the amount of fertilizer does affect the number of duckweed because the fertilizer contains nitrates and phosphates. Duckweed can be used for a process called phytoremediation, the use of plants to clean up contaminated environments, because of their ability to absorb nutrients. Nitrogen compounds increase the rate of plant growth and phosphorus promotes healthy root growth. Because the duckweed is able to absorb the nitrates and phosphates from the fertilizer put into the water, it has those effects on it and affects the number of duckweed.

Diversity Lab

jd28055 — 2024-10-02 18:36:57 UTC

1. Testable Question

jd28055 — 2024-10-02 18:38:18 UTC

Will the proximity to water increase the biodiversity of insects?

2. Hypothesis

jd28055 — 2024-10-02 18:39:47 UTC

H0 - No, the proximity to water will not increase the biodiversity of insects.
H1- Yes, the proximity to water will increase the biodiversity of insects.

3. Procedure

jd28055 — 2024-10-02 18:48:00 UTC

Attach a string to insect traps.
Place 8 glue traps in each environment, the bridge, the hill, and the marsh.
Identify the plant where the glue trap was placed.
Leave the glue traps for 24 hours.
Collect the glue traps and calculate the richness, abundance, and diversity index of each environment.
Record results.

5a. Bar Graph

jd28055 — 2024-10-02 18:48:39 UTC

5b. Bar Graph

jd28055 — 2024-10-02 18:49:13 UTC

4b. Data Table

jd28055 — 2024-10-02 18:50:16 UTC

4a. Data Table

jd28055 — 2024-10-02 18:50:41 UTC

6. CER

jd28055 — 2024-10-06 17:51:07 UTC

Yes, the proximity to water will increase the biodiversity of insects because bugs depend on the water. To begin, the richness and diversity index were higher for the environments closer to the water, like the marsh and the bridge than the hill, which is further from the water. The diversity for the bridge was 0.55, the marsh was 0.75, and the hill was 0.46. Furthermore, the richness on the hill was seven, while in the marsh and the bridge it was eleven. Based on this evidence, one can conclude that the proximity to water will increase the biodiversity of insects because they rely opon water for survival. Some species of insects, such as mosquitos and dragonflies lay their eggs in water. Additionally, water accounts for fifty to ninety percent of an insects body weight and an adequate water intake allows bugs to stay hydrated and not dry out. So, it makes sense that many species of bugs are attracted to water because they could not survive without it.

Carbon Dioxide Lab

jd28055 — 2024-10-25 19:12:43 UTC

1. Testable Question

jd28055 — 2024-10-25 19:13:57 UTC

Does light affect carbon dioxide levels in a container of spinach?

2. Hypothesis

jd28055 — 2024-10-25 19:15:27 UTC

H0 - No, light will not affect carbon dioxide levels in a container of spinach.
H1 - Yes, light will affect carbon dioxide levels in a container of spinach.

3. Procedure

jd28055 — 2024-10-25 19:20:56 UTC

Grab an empty container, tinfoil, 20 leaves of spinach, and a device to measure carbon dioxide levels.
Sync the device to measure carbon to the computer.
Connect the carbon device to the container and put it on a window sill for 5 minutes.
Record results for control light.
Cover the container in tinfoil and connect the carbon device to the container for 5 minutes.
Record results for control dark.
Place the 20 spinach leaves in the container and put connect the carbon device. Place the container on a window sill and wait 5 minutes.
Record results for leaves in light.
Cover the container with 20 leaves of spinach with tinfoil and wait 5 minutes.
Record results for leaves in the dark.

4. Data Table

jd28055 — 2024-10-25 19:24:51 UTC

5a. Graph

jd28055 — 2024-10-25 19:25:41 UTC

5b. Graph

jd28055 — 2024-10-25 19:32:24 UTC

6. CER

jd28055 — 2024-10-28 01:29:51 UTC

Yes, the light decreases carbon dioxide levels in a container of spinach because the light allows the spinach to do photosynthesis. To begin, the data table and graphs show that the average change in carbon dioxide in light was -422 with spinach leaves. Additionally, our graph also states that the average change in carbon dioxide in the dark with spinach leaves was +723. This data shows that the combination of spinach leaves in light decreases the most carbon dioxide because 422 is greater than -723. Based on this evidence, one can conclude that light decreases carbon dioxide levels in a container of spinach because of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process in which some organisms, such as plants, algae, and cyanobacteria, convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy for fuel. During photosynthesis, plants use water and carbon from the air. The plant cells oxidize the water, meaning it loses electrons, and the carbon dioxide gains electrons by being reduced. The water becomes oxygen and the carbon dioxide becomes glucose. Furthermore, cellular respiration and photosynthesis were both processes that occurred when spinach was in the jar. Both occurred when the jar was in the light, but only cellular respiration occurred in the dark. Carbon dioxide increased by 723 ppm because of the cellular respiration of the spinach. This is shown by the change in carbon dioxide in the leaves in the dark. This means that photosynthesis actually decreased the carbon dioxide by an average of 1,145 ppm in the test with spinach leaves in light. When there is no light, there is no way to decrease the amount of carbon dioxide, so it continuously increases. The equation for cellular respiration, C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O, is the direct opposite of photosynthesis, 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6+ 6O, meaning that the energy flows in opposite directions. Photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide to release oxygen, while cellular respiration uses oxygen to release carbon dioxide. To conclude, the light decreases carbon dioxide levels in a container of spinach because the light allows the spinach to do photosynthesis.

CO2 and Bean Lab

jd28055 — 2024-10-31 18:59:58 UTC

1. Testable Question

jd28055 — 2024-10-31 19:00:43 UTC

Does germination affect the rate of respiration?

2. Hypothesis

jd28055 — 2024-10-31 19:01:30 UTC

H0 - No, germination will not affect the rate of respiration.
H1 - Yes, germination will affect the rate of respiration.

3. Procedure

jd28055 — 2024-10-31 19:13:07 UTC

Put 25 dormant beans in a container.
Connect the carbon dioxide device to a Chromebook.
Calibrate the device to 420 ppm and begin collecting C02 data.
Stop collecting data after 8 minutes.
Take the dormant beans out of the container and replace them with 25 germinating seeds.
Calibrate the device to 420 ppm and begin collecting C02 data.
Stop collecting data after 8 minutes.
Take the germinating beans out the container and replace them with 25 glass beads.
Calibrate the device to 420 ppm and begin collecting C02 data.
Stop collecting data after 8 minutes.
Record and compare results.

4. Data Table

jd28055 — 2024-10-31 19:21:16 UTC

5. Graph

jd28055 — 2024-10-31 19:21:28 UTC

6. CER

jd28055 — 2024-10-31 19:22:41 UTC

Yes, germination increases the rate of respiration in beans because germinating beans have higher energy needs than dormant beans. As shown on the graph, the average rate of change in the dormant beans was 0.03 ppm/second, and the average rate of change in the germinating beans was 0.3 ppm/second. Additionally, the change in CO2 of the germinating beans was +105 ppm while the change in CO2 of the dormant beans was -15 ppm. Based on this evidence, one can conclude that germination increases the rate of respiration in beans. Cellular respiration is the process in which cells use glucose and oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, and adenosine triphosphate, also known as ATP. This is shown in the chemical equation of cellular respiration, which is C6H12O6 + 6O2 --> 6CO2 + 6H2O + Chemical Energy (in ATP). ATP is energy used to power various cellular activities, such as muscle contraction, protein synthesis, and active transport. Seeds that are dormant are waiting for favorable conditions to germinate. Growth processes are inactive, creating less demand for energy. In contrast, germinating seeds require more energy for cell-building activities, like breaking open the seeds and creating new tissues, that occur during germination. To conclude, yes, germination increases the rate of respiration in beans because germinating beans have higher energy needs than dormant beans.

Sugar and Potato Lab

jd28055 — 2024-11-26 20:14:31 UTC

1. Testable Question

jd28055 — 2024-11-26 20:15:25 UTC

Does the concentration of sugar affect the percent mass change in potatoes?

2. Hypothesis

jd28055 — 2024-11-26 20:16:42 UTC

H0 - No, the concentration of sugar will not affect the percent mass change in potatoes.
H1 - Yes, the concentration of sugar will affect the percent mass change in potatoes.

3. Procedure

jd28055 — 2024-11-26 20:21:36 UTC

Label 5 cups with 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8.
Measure out 25 ml of each of the five solutions, 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8, and pour the measured solution into the corresponding cup.
Cut potato cores into 15 small cylinders.
Weigh the potatoes on a scale in groups of 3.
Place 3 potato cores into each cup.
Leave the cups for 24 hours.
Dry off the potatoes and weigh the potatoes from each cup.
Record results.

4. Data Table

jd28055 — 2024-11-26 20:23:19 UTC

5. Graph

jd28055 — 2024-11-26 20:23:52 UTC

6. CER

jd28055 — 2024-11-26 20:34:25 UTC

Yes, the concentration of sucrose will increase and decrease the percent mass change in potatoes because of osmosis. The table states that potatoes in a concentration of 0 had an average percent mass change of 15.4%, potatoes in a concentration of 0.2 had an average percent mass change of 8,5%, potatoes in a concentration of 0.4 had an average percent mass change of -15.8, potatoes in a concentration of 0.6 had an average percent mass change of-31.2 and potatoes in a concentration of 0.8 had an average percent change of -39.1. This is shown on the graph, whereas the sugar concentration of the solution increases, the average percent mass change decreases. Based on this evidence, one can conclude that the concentration of sucrose will increase and decrease the percent mass change in potatoes because of osmosis. A positive percent mass change means that the potatoes increased in weight while a negative percent mass change means that the potatoes decreased in weight. A percent mass change of zero means that the potato maintained its weight. Osmosis is the movement of water molecules through a semipermeable membrane from a low solute concentration to a high solute concentration. Whether a solution is hypertonic, hypotonic, or isotonic will determine where the water molecules move. Osmosis only occurs when cells are in a hypertonic or hypotonic solution, not when they are in an isotonic solution. A hypertonic solution means there is a higher solute concentration outside the cell while there is a higher water volume inside the cell. This causes water molecules to move outside the cell and as a result, the cell shrinks. The opposite of this is a hypotonic solution. There is a higher solute concentration inside the cell and a higher water volume outside the cell. This causes the water molecule to move inside the cell and as a result, the cell grows in size. Isotonic solutions have equal solute concentrations and amounts of water both inside and outside the cell. This means the water molecules will not move and the cell maintains a normal size. When the potatoes were placed in the solutions of 0, 0,2, and 0,4, these concentrations were hypotonic because the potato contained more sucrose than the solution did. Because the solution was hypotonic and not isotonic, osmosis occurred. This caused the water molecules from the solution to move inside the potato cells to reach equilibrium. Because of this, the potato cells grew in size because of the increase in water molecules, and therefore, the potatoes gained weight and had a positive percent mass change. However, the solutions of 0.6 and 0.8 were hypertonic because the solutions contained more sucrose than the potatoes. Because the solution was hypertonic and not isotinic, osmosis occurred. This caused the water molecules from the potato cells to move into the solution to reach equilibrium. Because of this, the potato cells shrunk in size because of the decrease in water molecules, and therefore, the potatoes lost weight and had a negative percent mass change. To conclude, yes, the concentration of sucrose will increase and decrease the percent mass change in potatoes because of osmosis.